A very special friend to me gave me a book a few months ago. And while I've been slowly working my way through it (very hit and miss, I must admit!) I decided a few days ago that I needed to combine the messages in the book with my Bible reading. The book is called Jesus Calling and it's written by Sarah Young. It's a good little devotional book, and I've really enjoyed reading the parts of it that I have. However I've been really lackadaisical about it, and I think, like any other learning, studying on the words is required.
The commentary for today focuses on Matthew 11:28-29, as well as 1 Timothy 2:8. I prefer a King James bible. I know there are plenty of people out there that say it's too hard to read, too hard to understand. To that, all I have to say is that God will bless you with knowledge and understanding of His word. My children have been reading Bible verses in our Sunday school class from birth out of a King James bible and I truly think that is one of many reasons why they read so far above their age levels.
I digress.
My bible at home is one of my old ones...one of those that I was scared to carry around any more because it was starting to fall apart. Perfectly good for use at home, but not so great if the guts all fall out somewhere between here and my destination. There are notes everywhere, in margins and in the back... scriptures are underlined, boxed, highlighted. As I opened the bible to the Book of Matthew, I see that today's scripture has already been brought to my attention in the past, with a huge black box drawn around verses 28-30.
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
The second scripture reads:
I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
HE will give us rest. Not others of the world. He also offers us up His yoke, and to take upon ours. This reminds me that He never promised us an easy path, in fact, He tells us that we will be burdened and will labor throughout our days. He also gives us the gift of prayer. That we might come to him with an open mind and spirit, lifting up our hands in prayer.
The last few years of my life have been difficult, and the last few weeks the worst of the worst. I've been reminded that my only true friend is Jesus and that this world is not my home. I have far better things awaiting me than what I have found in this world. I've also been reminded that He gives me burdens, but He is also there to help carry them. He has forgiven me of my sins, and so I should forgive others of their sins against me in the same manner. I should not harbor anger against them, or even hurt feelings. Letting Him bear my burdens carries me much farther than holding onto them myself, being a martyr, or holding anger against those that hurt me.
Prayer doesn't change things,but prayer changes me.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Friday, February 3, 2012
Reflections
As I finally come down off this latest mountain that we call life, I have to stop and take a moment to evaluate where I have been, where I am right-this-minute, and where I am going.
I pray. I pray a lot. Life has never been what I would consider easy. It's had many hardships, but it's also had a few joys. I guess I'm just not one of those people that makes a point to say "oh, poor me" and to make sure everyone knows about how traumatic my life has been. It was what it was, I sucked it up, and I moved on.
One of the things I pray on a regular basis is that I may become a better person: a better wife, a better daughter, a better mom, a better friend. I feel I have to put a disclaimer out there that I'm not necessarily a BAD any of those things...I just think we can all strive to better ourselves for the benefit of others in our lives.
What I've found in the last few years, now that I've had time to relax and just think is that there are people that say they want the best for you...and they mean it. I've got a specific friend in mind when I say this. While we kept in touch, so to speak, we haven't been close in a while. In fact the last year, I probably only talked to her sporadically. I love her dearly. I got a lovely text message from her the night before my exam and we've been back to "normal" ever since. Then there are the people that say they want the best for you, but what they really want is to see you fail. It's as if they are waiting...waiting...waiting to drag you down in the pits with them. And the more you succeed, the more distant they become. And while I try, I've reached the point that I cannot be the one to constantly ask "are you ok?" "Can I help?" "What can I do?" Sometimes you just have to suck it, and move on. And yet, somehow, I end up the bad guy? (don't get me wrong, I didn't actually SAY suck it up and move on...I just wanted to really bad.)
And so here I am, thinking I have a lot of friends. I have another dear friend who told me just a few short weeks ago that I was going to find out that there are friends...TRUE friends...and then there are acquaintances. I'm finding that out. It's time to move on, and be grown ups. And those folks that want to point out my every flaw, point out every mistake in every move I make, will just have to suck it up and move on....or be left behind.
But that said...I spent a few hours this evening with 2 dear friends. Both I gained during school, and both will continue to be a strong part in my lives in the years to come. And that's all the motivation I need to keep moving forward...one foot at a time.
I pray. I pray a lot. Life has never been what I would consider easy. It's had many hardships, but it's also had a few joys. I guess I'm just not one of those people that makes a point to say "oh, poor me" and to make sure everyone knows about how traumatic my life has been. It was what it was, I sucked it up, and I moved on.
One of the things I pray on a regular basis is that I may become a better person: a better wife, a better daughter, a better mom, a better friend. I feel I have to put a disclaimer out there that I'm not necessarily a BAD any of those things...I just think we can all strive to better ourselves for the benefit of others in our lives.
What I've found in the last few years, now that I've had time to relax and just think is that there are people that say they want the best for you...and they mean it. I've got a specific friend in mind when I say this. While we kept in touch, so to speak, we haven't been close in a while. In fact the last year, I probably only talked to her sporadically. I love her dearly. I got a lovely text message from her the night before my exam and we've been back to "normal" ever since. Then there are the people that say they want the best for you, but what they really want is to see you fail. It's as if they are waiting...waiting...waiting to drag you down in the pits with them. And the more you succeed, the more distant they become. And while I try, I've reached the point that I cannot be the one to constantly ask "are you ok?" "Can I help?" "What can I do?" Sometimes you just have to suck it, and move on. And yet, somehow, I end up the bad guy? (don't get me wrong, I didn't actually SAY suck it up and move on...I just wanted to really bad.)
And so here I am, thinking I have a lot of friends. I have another dear friend who told me just a few short weeks ago that I was going to find out that there are friends...TRUE friends...and then there are acquaintances. I'm finding that out. It's time to move on, and be grown ups. And those folks that want to point out my every flaw, point out every mistake in every move I make, will just have to suck it up and move on....or be left behind.
But that said...I spent a few hours this evening with 2 dear friends. Both I gained during school, and both will continue to be a strong part in my lives in the years to come. And that's all the motivation I need to keep moving forward...one foot at a time.
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